Imagine yourself on the massage table. As the masseuse presses your skin it feels like all is melting away and your mind floats away into a dream. Imagine the fresh cool mountain breeze in the summer, a welcome change from the humid and sticky heat back home; and imagine a food that is the stuff of dreams, an array of colors, tastes and textures one more exotic and delicious than the last. All of this and more is available in the Alps region. Though the Alps are most famous for their stunning snow-capped mountain views and renown ski hills, they are quickly becoming the ‘it’ place for those wanting a complete getaway, in any season.
Depending on what you seek, it’s all there: relaxing by the pool or by the lake, activities for the thrill-seekers, world-renowned wellness spas, a cornucopia of selections to eat, breathtaking nature to enjoying and the list goes on and on.
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If you are not certain where to begin, the best place in Geneva, Switzerland. Geneva is where modernity and antiquity intersect. By way of example, Place du Bourg-de-Four, the city’s oldest area, is host to winding streets, with no shortage of restaurants, cafes and boutique shops, while Carouge, the 18th-century Italian village, is a must-see for those who delight in architectural marvels. About an hour away is Annecy, France, dubbed the “Venice of the Alps.” This alpine town is not just about cobblestone streets, farmer’s markets and the crystal-blue lake that so many flocks to enjoy. Simply walk around the area – lose your way, if you will – in order to fully appreciate quaint French town life. The homes, shops, and pristine lakeside. In fact, add a dollop of excitement like paddle-boarding, scuba or even yacht rentals, knowing that every photograph will have mountains in the background.
Move along another hour and a half to the “piece de resistance”, Bourg Saint Maurice, France, a new hotspot for vacationers. There you’ll find a full slate of activities – for those who like a fast pace, those who prefer medium, or slow – depending on the mood you’re in.
Club Med eight months ago opened a resort in the area, Arcs Panorama, overlooking the gorgeous snow-capped French Alps, in every direction.
Those from Brazil, Israel, Russia, France, and Switzerland are availing themselves on the Alp ski hills in great numbers, as well as partaking in a plethora of summer activities. There is so much offered, four days should be the minimum stay if one wants to experience even a small fraction of what is available.
If fresh air is what you’re after, enjoy a guided hike in the pristine forest, or even a scenic tour on horseback. For a faster, more titillating ride, hop on an electric bike, or mountain bike, and zip down the trails on two wheels; and if you want to take it up a notch, ride through the rapids on a white water rafting excursion, sure to get your heart-rate pumping. The highlight for many is paragliding – floating a mile and a half in the air, over the trees, and seeing the snow-capped peaks up close at eye level as though living a scene from a James Bond film.
But not everything has to be jaw-dropping, eye-popping and teeth-clenching if you don’t want it to be. For those seeking a more Zen experience, enjoy yoga or take a load off at the heated indoor and outdoor pools. Relax the muscles with a whirlpool bath or doze off with an oil massage. In fact, imagine being pampered by a different type of massage each day, because that is exactly what you can have.
All the amenities you could possibly want are right here. From an endless array of buffets to suit all diets and cravings to spectacular locations, sightseeing and activities- the French Alps really does have it all. Geneva, Annecy, and Bourg Saint Maurice are a vacation trio that truly has everything to offer and an experience you don’t want to miss.
As the French say … ooh la la!
